SEO/SEM/PPC FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

What does SEO stand for? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization.

What is search engine optimization?

Contrary to what the name implies it is optimizing a web site and its content for a search engine. The first step in this process is to ensure the web site is search engine friendly: that its structure and technical setup doesn’t prohibit a search engine from fully indexing each and every page and every piece of relevant content it contains. Following steps improve upon the unseen structure of the web pages and sometimes information architecture of the site to enhance the relevance of certain terms so as to increase your visibility for those terms in search engine searches. Finally links to your site are actively developed: an essential SEO phase.

Is local Hamilton SEO different from regular (Canadian) SEO?

It can be. Much depends on the type of business you run and the terms associated with transactional searches for it. A local pizza delivery store needs different brand and keyword targeting than a flower shop accepting international orders. What’s important is recognizing that difference and knowing and understanding the local market in such depth that any faux-pas in term use is avoided.

What is SEM?

SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing. The term is widely abused to mean many different things. Hamilton SEO uses it in its two classic definitions: marketig (or branding) through search, and the use of PPC.

What is PPC?

Pay-per-click. A form of advertisment supported by all search engines in which mainly textual ads of 3-5 lines can be taken out to appear on the search result pages of keywords you or your account manager specified, and for which payment is only due if someone clicks on the ad. This performance-driven model ensures high quality, relevant advertisement which in turn keeps searchers engages with the ad property.

Do you have a special relation with Google? I read about an SEO company that has.

No we don’t. And any company that claims it does is a fraud — according to Google.

The only form of “special relation” we have with Google is that we know exactly what does and doesn’t work when aiming to increase visibility of a web site in Google. But that’s “just” hard work; nothing “special” there.